Migrating Windows w/ Live CD

[Asho]

I hope I'm posting this in the right place...

I've read all the "How to's" about using dd to migrate Windows installations from one hard drive to another, but I have a few questions before I start.

My laptop currently has an 80GB hard drive (which is actually about 74GB), with three partitions:
1) a hidden partition, approximately 10GB, which I assume is either for the recovery disks, or the actual Windows Vista Basic installation
2) C:, which is approximately 32 GB, which has program files and my Windows settings, ect.
3) D:, which is also about 32GB, and has data such as photos and music

I need to clone that hard drive to an external hard drive, which is 1TB. And then, I need to clone that to a new 250GB internal hard drive.

I can't spend any more money right now, so using the external hard drive is my only option, even though it will add several hours to this. Even though the external hard drive is so much larger than either of the internal hard drives, is there any way I can still use it while preserving all of the partitions and MBR, since I don't have a Vista cd with which to repair my installation should something go wrong?

Also, which Linux distro would be my best bet? I have a few lying around already, but it would be no big deal to make a new live CD right quick.

Thanks in advance for any help. :)

[happybunny]

you say you don't have money, but http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108&cat=HDD or http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=906&sku=17705

anyway, an Ubuntu LiveCD should work...just boot off it with the drives attached and dd if=/dev/internal of=/dev/external/vista.iso....swap internal disks and dd if=/dev/external/vista.iso of=/dev/internal *should* work (ok, I've covered my butt!)

you could also use ghost http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_(software)....not sure how Vista's does with clones though...sometimes the boot doesn't work right.

But since you wont be erasing the original disk, you can always try different techniques.

[irlandes]

I think I did it with the current (at the time) version of Puppy.

Since dd copies exactly from MBR, one can copy all partitions; hidden and all, no sweat.

The trick you need to master, I posted on Saikee's big thread on cloning HD, which is to note the blocks stated in the message when the first transfer is done, and when you copy it back to the final one, be sure to state those exact number of blocks to be transferred in that dd command.

Look for it, because it seemed a surprise to some at the time that this can be done. So, not everyone refers to this trick.

No over-runs. Perfect clone, assuming your hardware is good. And, you have your exact clone on the 250GB with a lot of space left over.